Radim Vrbata Returns to Arizona Coyotes and Vesey Watch Officially Begins

The Arizona Coyotes announced on Tuesday that they signed Radim Vrbata to a one-year, one million-dollar contract. 

Coyotes general manager, John Chayka said, “We are very pleased to sign Radim to a one-year contract. He is a proven goal scorer who will add skill and smarts to our lineup. We look forward to having him back in a Coyotes uniform this season.”

The 35-year-old right winger spent the last two seasons with the Vancouver Canuks. During the 2015-2016 campaign he scored 13 goals and 14 assists in 63 games. Vrbata will be returning for his third stint in the “Valley of the Sun.” 

During the 2009 to 2014 National Hockey League seasons, he put up 110 goals and 122 assists. Two seasons before that run, in the 2007-2008 season, he scored 27 goals and 29 assists in 76 games. 

Vrbata said, “I am very excited to return to the Coyotes. My family and I love living in Arizona and I am really looking forward to helping this team win.”

In 934 games between the Coyotes, Canuks, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning he has tallied 259 goals and 295 assists. 

In other NHL News:  

Hobey Baker Award winner and Harvard University forward, Jimmy Vesey officially hit the free agent market Tuesday. Interested teams paid him a visit to sell their organizations on why they were a good fit for him. 

The Detroit Red Wings were one of the teams that met with Vesey on Tuesday. As the forward wants to remain closer to home, he let them know he was not in playing in the “Motor City.” 

Red Wings assistant general manager, Ryan Martin said, “We did our best. We spoke to his agent about depth and opportunity. He said he preferred to play closer to home.”

 

The Nashville Predators third round, selection in the 2012 NHL entry draft, won the 2016 Hobey Baker Award for best National Collegiate Athletic Association ice hockey player. The Predators had hoped that he would have signed with the club after he had completed his senior season at Harvard this past March, for their postseason run.

In June, Nashville dealt Vesey’s rights to the Buffalo Sabres for a third round, draft pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. The Sabres held his exclusive rights through Monday, August 15. 

Now that he is an unrestricted free agent, the Sabres continue to be in the mix, but the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks are also the top teams contending for the six foot two, 201-pound forward. The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins have also shown interest in the Boston native. 

As the teams continue to sell themselves to Vesey, meeting with him in Boston, no decision is expected until probably Friday at the earliest to give him time to weigh his options.